Automatic rail and wheel-flange oiler



Feb. 10, 1931. G. E. wHlTMoRE, sR

AUTOMATIC RAIL 'AND WHEEL FLANGE OILER Filed March 18, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet l @Novi n EFM.

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I M GHC-umu Fb l0, 1931- G. E. WHITMRE. sR f 1,792,342

AUTOMATIC RAIL AND WHEEL FLANGE oILER Filed March 18, 192s 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Feb. 1o, 1931 yunire STATES "Para Nroil-"FICEv l encuen Winton/Loan, sn., `or wrnni'eivison, wasn vineima AU'rorvvIATIc RAIL AND WHEELFLANGE' ordinii.

This invention relates to lubricating apparatus.

extent of the track.

An important-object of the invention is to provide a lubricating-device Which, if located at-tlie outer rail near or at the beginning of a curve, will'be capable of providing lubrication of many miles of rail on account of the distributing action of car wheels passing Valong thetrack. A

Another important-object of the invention is to provide a device which Awill act automatically upon the passage of `car wheels thereover to apply lubricant directly to the inside of the ball of a rail so that the flanges of successive wheels passing along the track may take up the lubricant and distribute it throughout a long extent. Y Another object of the inventionis to provide a device of this character adapted to be carried directly by the iail to be lubricated;`

A further object of the invention is the provision of a lubricating device which is normally inactive and which will operate to apply lubricant to a rail only when the successive wheels of a train pass over the point where the apparatus is located, the device embodying' an actuating element disposedin the path of travel ofthe wheel flanges.

Still another object of the-invention is to provide a rail lubricatingv device provided with or embodying a reservoir capable of containing sufficient-lubricant for an extended kperiod of time, the construction being, moreover, such that water, dirt or other foreign matter will be excluded.

An additional object is to provide a device of this .character so constructed, larranged and shaped as not to be damaged or destroyed Application inea Merch 1s, 192e. serie; ne. 95,7%.,Y Y

yof the brake rigging,

A still more specific or the like, hanging from a'car or any:V part of a` train passing along the track, the device being preferably so formed as to deflect any such elements.

object of the inventionV is to provide a rail lubricating device embodying afmovable actuating member depressible by car whclels passing thereover andA carrying a species' of swab adapted toV engage against the side of the rail ball, positive means beinglocated within the device Y and operatively connected wih said movable actuating element for supplying lubricant to provide va lubricating acter which will effect applying element with rail conditions.

parts to be hereinafter vice, and

the swab, means being alsoprovided for normally` maintaining all the parts in neutral or inoperative position and returning them to such after each actuation.Y i

Yet another object of the invention is to device of this charthorough lubrication of a railY regardless of the condition thereof, that is to say whether it be new or even badly worn, the device embodying means for ladjusting the position ofthe swab or lubricant respect to the rail so as to obtain the best results under certain To the attainment of the foregoing and .other objects and advantages, the invention preferably consists in the detailedconstruction and the arrangement and combination of more Vfully 'described and claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which n Figure l isa plan view of the devicein applied'position upon the rail ofa track,

, Figure 2 is a vertical cross sectional View taken on the line 2 2 of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a vertical longitudinal section taken on the line 3 3 of Figure 2 showing an elevation of the raill engaging side of the dein caseit is struck against by a loose part VFigure 4 is a fragmentary detail perspeotive view illustrating the mounting of the dipperv or member for supplying oil to the swab.

Referringmore particularly to the draw!y ings the letter A designates .a railroad rail here represented as mounted upon' a seatv member B and spiked at C onto the cross ties 2 i j W 1,792,342

D. The rail is shown as tilted or canted inwardly in accordance with the modern practice which has been adopted for the purpose ofhaving the wheel treads bear properly upon the rails. However, this is a detail which has no particular bearing on the Present invention, the rail and associated parts being disclosed simply for the purpose of more clearly explaining the construction, mounting and operation of the device .forming the subjectmatter of the application.

In carrying out the invention I provide a suitable reservoir structure adapted to be mounted at some convenient location along the trackway and adjacent the rail to be lubricated. F or the sake of illustration, I have shown the reservoir structure formed as an elongated receptacle or pan 1 which may conveniently be formed of sheet metal and which is preferably of a general trough shape including a bottom 2, sides 3 and 4 and an outstanding flange 5 at the top of the latter. If desired these elements may be formed integrally as by cutting and stamping or bending a sheet of metal though, obviously, there is no limitation in this respect as various alternative arrangements might be provided if found advisable. i This receptacle or reservoir structure may well' be attached to the rail to be lubricated, in which event the side 3 is disposed against the inner side of the web of the rail A and secured thereto as for instance by bolts 6 passing through the side 3, through the rail web and through washers, plates, blocks or other liller elements indicated at 7, the bolts being equipped with nuts 8 for effecting` the proper holding action. This pan or reservoir has its sides 3 and 4; preferably inclined downwardly at the ends as shown at 9 and these end portions are covered by wall members 10 preferably formed with filling openings 11 normally covered by movably mounted plates or other equivalent closure elements 12.

The receptacle or pan is intended to be filled with lubricant to any desired depth, naturally less than the height of the side 3 to avoid spilling, and it is preferable that the bottom 2 be inclined downwardly'from the wall el toward the wall 3 for the purpose of causing the lubricant to gravitate toward the rail. 1While it is not essential, I have shown a support or supports 13 mounted upon the cross tie or ties D adjacent that portion of the receptacle most remote from the rail for the purpose of supporting the reservoir or receptacle and preventing strain upon the wall member or side 3 and eliminating distortion. For convenience ink installation the side wall 3 is represented as terminating short of the ball of the rail and it is of course necessary that the top members 10 at the inclined ends be arranged suliiciently low` as to be out of ythe path of travel of the flanges of car wheels passing along the track. riChe top of the reservoir structure orvreceptacleis open bereceptacle is provided with a movably mounted 'closure or cover 14 suitably pivotally mounted as by hinges 15, or the-like, located at the upper portion of the side wall 4:, there being no restriction,however, as `to the details of mounting. This cover has its free edge extending toa point adjacent the ball of the rail but sufficiently spaced therefrom to permitfit to clear the rail when swung downwardly upon its pivot or pivots 15. Ordinarily the cover may preferably be arranged in a horizontal plane and substantially in line with the top of the rail, there being a space 16 between the flange 5 and that portion of the cover overlying the same. Detachably mounted upon the cover at the free edge thereof is a swab member 17 of flexible material held in place by some suitable means such, for instance, as a clamping plate'lS. F or all practical purposes the swab member 17 may, if desired, consist of a length of ordinary rubber hose slit longitudinally and held between the cover and the clamp, though it should be distinctly `understood that any equivalent may be provided.V When the cover 11i is in normal position it will be clear that the swab member 17 lies against the side of the ball of the rail and it'can never get into such position as to touch the top of the rail.

Mounted on topof the free edge portion of the cover is a ramp 19 which is adapted to be engaged by the flanges of car wheels passing along the rail, the purpose being to move the cover`11l downwardly as successive car wheels pass thereover. 'The ramp is preferably vhighest at its central portion if the device is to be used on atwo-way track though it might be well to mention that on: a one-way track the highest portion of the ramp may be the end farthest from the direction from which trains approach the device. Obviously, the ramp 19 should extend to such a height that when engaged by the flanges of car wheels the result will be that they cover 14: will swing downwardlyV upon its pivot or pivots 15. lVhilevany desired means may be provided for securing the ramp'in4 place, I have illustrated boltsQO which also serve to hold the clamping lplate 18 in position, the bolts having their rheads preferably located within recesses 21 in the ramp in such 4position as to be easily Vcapable of engagement byl la suitable socket wrench for eEecting loosening of the clamping plate 18 whereby a new swab V17 may be inserted, when necessary. ItV is rvpreferable that theupper surface of the ramp be inclined orcurved downwardly away fromfthe rail and that the edge nearest the rail be curved upwardly and away from the rail, the latter feature being to provide clearance when the and I do not wish to be restricted thereto.

The invention contemplates means for lpositively applying lubricant to the swab 17 every time'the cover 14 swings downwardly. To accomplish this I preferably provide a dipper 23 which may in actual practice be formed simply as a plate with an upwardly curved end 24. This dipper is suitably pivoted within the receptacle in such manner as to have a somewhat scooping movement. The mounting in the present instance is represented as including any desired number of upright bearings 25 rising from the bottom 2 and journally receiving a rod or shaft 26 secured to the dipper in any desired manner. `The scooping movement may be insured by providing the dipper with openings 27 which receive the bearing members 25. By locating the dipper beneath lthe shaft or rod 26 it is evident that the dipper will have the desired movement when swung. rl`he operative connection between the cover and the dipper may consist of any desired number of ears 28 and 29 carried, respectively, by the dipper and the underside of the cover and pivotallyconnected at 30 with a. corresponding number of links 31. Vhile ears are mentioned, it should be understood that any equivalent elements may be employed to equal advantage and the same may be said of the links.

For maintaining the cover and the other parts in normal position andrestoring them to such after movement by the passage of car wheels over the ramp,I preferably provide bolts or guide. rods 32-passing through the flange 5 and the overlying portion of the cover, these elements 32 carrying abutment members 33 against which engage coil springs 34 which, in turn, abut against washers 35 or the like beneath the flange 5. Obviously, any equivalent spring means may be provided in lieu of this detailed construction. It is desirable to provide an adjustment for the spring tension and this is readily accomplished by means of nuts 36 on the bolts beneath the abutment members thereon.

v It is of particular advantage to be ableto adjustthe position of the cover llso as to bring the 4swab 17 into properrelation to the rail, especiallyin case the vrail is worn to a greater .orfless eXtent,and for this rea-L son `I have shown set screws,37 passing through theliange 5 and engaging beneath the overlying portion of the cover. These screws constitute stopsfor limiting the return movement ofthe cover under the influence of the springs yprovided for the purposeandk itis clear that by adjusting these set screws the'free edgeofthe cover may be brought into position above,.in line with, or

below` the top: of the rail, as y,the `case may v be, depending upon circumstances and conditions which may exist.

In the operation, it will bef-seen that; the

first step is to fill the reservoir with lubricant to the desiredlevel. The, normal posi-` i tion of the parts is as shown by full linesY in'Figure 2. Attention is directed to the fact that at this time the cover 14 is in horizontal position with .the swabmember 17 bearing against the side of the' rail. The cover consequently forms av vclosure for the The dipper 23 is in inclined` position with its curved end 24 lowermost and dipping down into the lubricant. tUpon ,the approach of a train and the passage of the wheels over the rail where 'the device is located, the wheel flanges will successively engage the ramp 19, forcing it, and consequently the cover 14, downwardly against the resistance of the springs 34. As the cover. swings downwardly the links 31 connecting the. elements 29 and 28`will cause the dipper 23 to swing upon` its pivot,l The parts are sorelated and the movement sotimed that as the curved end 24 of the dipper swings upwardly it is met byvand receives the swab member 17 which, being flexible, follows around the curve at the concave side of the dipper end. This position is shown by vdotted lines'v in Figure 2. Lubricant is thuseffectually applied to the swab. As soon as pressure of a wheel flange up on Vthe ramp is relieved, the springs 34C operate to return the cover to Lits uppermost position, the swab 17 then reengaging against the side of the ball of the rail andl transferring the lubricant thereto. Of course the dipper and other parts likewise return to--normal or initial position. As successive wheels pass over the device the flanges thereof' will take up the lubricant applied to the rail by the swab 'at the preceding stroke or movement of' the device and willdistribute the lubricant along the rail for a great extent. V.In actual practice I have discovered that if one kof the devices be located at the beginning of a vcurve and of course at theoutsiderail thereof it will opopen top of the'receptacle so that water and vdirt or other foreign matter will be excluded.

erate to lubricate as much as twenty miles i of'track. In thecase of compound curves" it is probably 'preferable to provide one of the devices at the beginningV of the outside rail of the dierent curves. lIIo-wever,- as many of the devices may beused as may be toundadvisable and they may be located at any vpoints desired, this being principally a matter of, judgment and depending, of course, upon track conditions. I have also found that a badly worn rail maybe lubricated just as eii'ectually as one in good condition. v

` -l-"rom the foregoing description and a study of the drawings it will be apparent that I have thus provided a simply constructed, inexpensive and easilyinstalled device or the purpose specii'ied and one which will positively accomplish all the beneiicial results contemplated. The device should need on attention other than replenishment of the lubricant supply from time to time. Attention might be directed to the fact that owing to the inclination of the bottom toward the rail the device will operate even though it contains an extremely limit-'ed supply of lubricant. The action is automatic and as the parts are rugged the device should possess great durability especially as the dimensions and shape of the ramp may be so designed or calculated as to insure proper depression of the cover and consequent operation of the parts without undue shock or strain caused by wheel pressure at high speeds. Such details are matters of engineering skill and do not ai'iect the principles involved. Y

While I have shown and described a preferred embodiment of the invention, it should be understood that the disclosure is merely an'exemplification ofthe possibilities as I reserve the right to make all such changes and modifications as will increase the field of utility and adaptability of the invention, provided such variations constitute no departure from the spirit of the inl' vention or the vscope of the claims hereunto appended. j j

Having thus described the invention, I claim:

1. Means for llubricating a railroad rail and consequently the fianges ofwheels passing therealong, including a lubricant receptacle positioned adjacent the rail'ito be lubricated, ya member movably mounted with re-v spect to the reservoir anddepressible `bythe flanges of wheels passing "along the rail, swab means carried by said movable member normally engaging the side ofthe rail,

and means movably mounted within the receptacle and operatively connected with said movable member for applying lubricant to the swab means. i 'ff 2. Means for lubricating a rail and'fthe flanges of wheels'passing thereover, compris? ing 'a reservoir structure adapted to be mounted adjacent the railto be lubricated Aand containing lubricant, a pivotallylmountl ed member on said reservoir structure located in the path of movement of car wheelspass` ing along the rail and movable thereby, means onsaid movablenmember engageable against the rail, and means operatively connected with saidfpivoted member for applying a charge 'oflubricant to said means. n 3. In a rail and wheel flange lubricator, a receptacle adapted to be mounted at a rail to belubricated and adapted to contain lubricant, a movably mounted closure for the receptacle disposed in the path of travel of the flanges ofcar" wheels passing over'the rail, means carried by the closure engageable with the side of the ball of the rail, and means for applying lubricant to said means. Y l

et. In a rail and wheel flange lubricator, receptacle' adapted to be mounted at a rail to be lubricated and adapted to'contain lubricant, a inovably mounted closure for the receptacle disposed in the path of travel of the flanges of car wheels passing Vover the rail, means carried by the closure engageable with the side of the ball of the rail, and means for applying lubricant to said means, the last named means including a'movably mounted mechanism dipping into the receptacle and eiigageable with the first named means upon downward movement of the closure. j

5. In a rail lubricator, a receptacle adapted to be secured to the-web of a rail to be lubricated, a pivoted closure for the receptacle positioned in the path of travel of the iianges of car wheels passing over the rail, a dipper structure movably mounted within the receptacle, the receptacle being adapted to contain' lubricani iiitowhich the dipper normally extends, swab means on the closure engageable with the rail, `and an operative connection between the -closure land the dipper for bringing the dipper and swab means into engagement upon depression 1 of the closure. j Y- 6. In a rail lubricating device, a stationary reservoir structure adapted to be mounted adjacent a rail to be lubricated and adapted to contain lubricant, a movably mounted member' extending inwardlyT ot the rail at substantially right angles thereto and positioned in theA path of travel of car wheels' passing alo'ngthe vrai-l and movableA thereby, means carried by said movable member normally Contactin the rail,and movable means for applying lu ricant to said means. 7. In a'rail lubricating device, a reservoir structure adapted to be mounted adjacent 1arail to Ybe lubricated and adapted to contain lubricant,va movably mounted member positioned inthe path of travel of car wheels passing along the rail and movable thereby, flexible means carried by s aid movable member normally contacting the rail, and means for applying lubricant to vsaid flexible means,

said lastnamed means including a member 1 dipping into the lubricant and operatively connected with said movable member to be moved into engagement vwith said flexible means.

8. In a rail lubricator, a lubricant recep-V tacle adapted to be mounted 'along a trackway adjacent a rail to be lubricated, a pivoted closure for the receptacledcarrying a ramp positioned in the path of travel of car wheels passing along the rail, a pivoted dipper within the receptacle ext-ending normally into thelubricant, and means connecting ythe pivoted closureywith 'the' dipper for efecting simultaneous movement thereof.

9. In a rail lubricator, alubricant recep-J i tacle adapted to be mounted along a trackway adjacent a rail to be lubricated, a pivoted closure' for the Vreceptacle carrying a; ramp positioned in the path of travel of car` Wheels passing along the rail, a pivoted clipper within the receptacle extending nor-l kmally into Vthe lubricant, means vconnecting the pivoted closure with the dipper for effecting simultaneous movement thereof, and swab means on the closure normally contact-ing the rail and engageable by the dipper upon downward movement of the closure.

l0. In a rail lubricator,` al stationarily mounted lubricant receptacle, ay movably mounted member on the receptacle carrying a swab engageable with the rail, said'movable member being positioned in the path of ltravel of car wheels passingl along the rail and movable thereby, means for applying lubricant to the swab upon movement of the movable member in one direction, and screw means for varying the initial position vof the Vmovable member and swab with respect to the top of the rail. Y

11. In a rail lubricator, aV receptacle adapt- -ed to be mounted adjacent a rail to be lubricated, sa'id receptacle having the central portion of its top open and having its end portions extended downwardly out of obstruct-l ing relation to the flanges vof car wheels pass-` ing along the rail,'said receptacle being adapted to contain a lubricant, a hinged closure plate normally covering the open top of the receptacle and carrying a ramp `located in thepath of travel of theilanges of `wheels passing along the rail, means carried by saidv closure plate normally engaging against the inner side of the rail, and means for apply-V ing lubricant to said means.

12. In a rail lubricator, a receptacle adapted to be mounted adjacenta railto be`lubricated, said receptacle having the central portion of its top open and having its end portions eXtended downwardly out of obstruct-v ing relation to the flanges of car wheelspass-` n ing along the rail, said receptacle being adapted to contain a lubricant, a hinged closure plate normally ycovering rthe open top of the receptacleand carryinga ramp located inthe path of travellof the flanges ot wheelspassing along the rail, means carriedv by saidclosure plate normally "engaging:` against the linner sideoi' therail, and means for applyinglubri cant'ito said means, said closure plate project# ing 'beyond the side of the reservoir most remote from the rail-to define an extension,

spring means located beneath' Isaid extension for normally maintaining the closure plate in its uppermost position. v v i .13. In a rail lubricator', a receptacle adapted to be mounted adjacenta railto'be lubri-V cated, said receptacle having the central'por-A tion of its top open and havingits end porf tions 'extended downwardly out obstruct;

ing along the rail, said receptaclebeing adapted to contain a lubricant, a hinged'closure plate normally covering the open. top of the lreceptacle and carrying a ramp located in the y path of travel of the lianges of wheels pass` ing along the rail, meansfcarriedbyl said closure plate normally engaging'against the in-vr remote from the rail kto definel anextension,

l spring means located beneath said extension ner side of the rail, means for applying luf Y bricant to said means, said closure plate pro! jecting beyond the side, of the reservoir 'most Y for normallymaintaining the closure'plate inits uppermost position, Vand adjustable lmeans engaging said extension',:forlimitingV upward movement of the vclosure Vplate and; ,l

regulating Vthe initial position thereof(F 14. A rail lubricator comprising'a recepitacle adapted to be mounted acentv a trail; to be lubricated, the receptaclejbeingadapted to contain lubricant,V a movable closure for' the Vtop of the receptacle,j meansyon theclo-v; sure disposedinthepath of travel of the flanges Vof car wheels passing along therail whereby the closure will be moved, meansV carried by the closure and adapted to contact;

with theside ofy the ball ofthe rail, and means operating upon'movement of theclosure for Vcarrieclby the closure and movableV downwardly upon passage of car wheelsV along the rail whereby toreceive a charge of lubricant and vtransfer the sameto the ball of the rail v` t upon subsequent upward movement. j

` 1 6. A rail lubricating device comprising a receptacle adapted to be mounted adjacent a rail to be lubricated and'adapted to contain lubricant, means movably mounted at the top of the receptacle and carrying means located A in the path of travel ofthe Vflanges of car wheels passing along the rail and depressible thereby, means carried by said second named Vmeans adapted to contact kwith the side of the ball of the rail, and means operable upon downwar'dmovementof said rst named .e 80 ing relation to the flangesof 'car wheels passw means for elevating a charge ot lubricant to said last named means.

17 A rail and Wheel flange lubricating device comprising a lubricant receptacle hav-V ing a depressible cover provided With means engageable by passing car Wheels, and means actuated lby movement of said cover for trans-j ferring lubricant from the receptacle to the i i rail.

1*'8. A rail and Wheel `flange lubricating de -y vice comprising a receptacle forlubricant, a depressibl-e top Vclosure for theV receptacle `adapted to move up Vand downuponpassage ogffcar Wheels along the rail, a rail contacting applicator on said top closure and means Within the receptacle for elevating lubricanttherein tothe 4applicator upon eachup and down movement. Y y y V19. A rail and 'Wheel flange lubricating device comprising areceptacle forflubricant, depressible means at the top of the receptacle carrying a ramp engageable by passing car Wheels-and movable thereby, and means with? in the receptacle'and normally dippingfinto the lubricant andv operable upon movement of said depressible means :for transferring lu-l bricant from Lthe receptacle to thev rail. l

20. In an apparatus for lubricating a rail andthe flanges of car .Wheels passing theref over, a Vreservoir adapted to contain lubri-z cant, Va member carryingfa lubricant applica-A tor adapted to be moved into and out of engagementvvith the side of therail, said member having a portion extending in lthe path of travel of the -car Wheels and depressible thereby, and mea-ns operated by movement of said member for. transferring lubricant from:

thereservoir onto said applicator. y

In testimony Wliereof'l affix my signature.

1 GEORGEEQWHITMORE, SR.. 

